The History of Christianity II: From the Reformation to the Modern Megachurch

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Course Overview

When you think about Christian history, you might think of the first thousand years—the events of Jesus’ life, the acts of the apostles, the establishment of the church, and the various councils that established theological doctrine. But the history of Christianity from the Reformation to the present is equally dramatic and profoundly relevant. It’s a story about people as much as theology—our cultures, our politics, our relationship to the world.

As the world’s largest religion, Christianity is enmeshed in the history of the world. Consider the question of the Christian mission: is it about saving souls, or about saving society? Is it about holding the right beliefs, or about doing good works? The answer to these questions over the past 500 years has defined politics and policies, and led to wars and revolutions.

The History of Christianity II: From the Reformation to the Modern Megachurch picks up where The Great Courses’ first history of Christianity left off: with the Protestant Reformation. Taught by Dr. Molly Worthen, a professor of history at the University of North Carolina, these 36 fascinating lectures trace the story of Christianity as it transformed from the end of the Middle Ages into the diverse global religion of today.

A careful study of this history allows you to:

appreciate the complexity of the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Counter-Reformation;

understand the myriad Protestant sects that emerged in the 16th and 17th centuries;

reflect on the role of the church during the Enlightenment and its relationship to the scientific revolution;

gain insight into religion in America, from Mormons and Fundamentalists to Evangelicals and the “Christian right”; and

see the challenges of the 21st century and the Global South in a different light.

While Professor Worthen gives you plenty of insight into theology, her primary focus is to place Christianity in its historical context. She personalizes history with stories of individual players and blends their narratives with larger trends to give you the full history of momentous events. You’ll meet characters ranging from David Strauss, whose biblical scholarship in the 19th century rocked the church’s world, to Zhang Rongliang, a Chinese Christian who kept preaching the gospel even when communist officials locked him up.

Explore 500 Years of Dramatic History

For many people, knowledge of Christianity after the time of Jesus is incomplete—a vague timeline scattered with assorted names, events, and councils but no guiding sense of how it all connects. As you’ll discover in this course, Europe in 1500 stood on the brink of a religious upheaval that would alter the continent’s destiny. Over the next 500 years, Christianity has been at the center of momentous transformations around the globe and is now the largest religion in the world.

How did this happen? How did Christianity go from being a mainly European religion in 1500 to a global powerhouse? And how did it happen despite the alleged “decline in religion” in our modern era? Professor Worthen unpacks these key questions as she sketches out the plot of one of the great dramas in world history. Among other things, you will:

Discover the central beliefs of Lutherans, Anabaptists, Puritans, Anglicans, and other groups that broke away from the Catholic Church during the Reformation.

Consider life for Christians under Muslim rule in the Ottoman Empire, including Coptic and Syriac Christians in Egypt and Syria.

Study the founding of the Eastern Orthodox Church and witness its growth, particularly throughout Russia.

Examine the phenomenon of revivals and their relationship to the church.

Explore the relationship between Christianity and the geopolitical dynamics of the Cold War—including the rise of the Christian Right in America.

These different facets of Christianity—and the political and cultural drama around them—represent just a fraction of the story of Christianity in this course. You will also discover the religion’s growth in Latin and South America, Africa, China, and other neglected histories to understand Christianity as a global phenomenon.

The History of Christianity II takes you beyond the basic who-what-when of historical events and places them in their cultural and political context, giving you the how and the why of history. For example, you will:

Unpack the messy events of the Thirty Years’ War to understand the politics of the Holy Roman Empire—and the witch-hunting craze that obsessed Europeans at the time.

Reflect on the Counter-Reformation and the role of orders like the Dominicans and the Jesuits in the spread of European empire.

See how the “social gospel” movement connected with a broader push for social services and political reform in the 19th century.

Find out why the Russian Revolution was one of the most cataclysmic events for religion in the 20th century.

Consider the 20th century missionary battles in Latin America—and the political emergence of Jorge Bergoglio, who is now Pope Francis.

Discover Common Threads across Time

The past 500 years have been an era of monumental change, from the discovery and colonization of new lands to astounding scientific achievements to the emergence of a global-capitalist world order. Despite all of these upheavals—and the anxieties that have accompanied them—many patterns in the history of Christianity repeat themselves again and again. Some of the key trends you will study include:

Faith and Reason: The tension between faith and reason within Christianity existed long before the debates over evolution versus creationism. You might be surprised, however, to discover how Christian history reveals a story of mutual influence between faith and reason, not just competition. One thing is certain: from Galileo to Darwin, the rise of modern science has altered religious debate around the world.

Revivals & Awakenings: What makes a good preacher? Professor Worthen surveys the origins and nature of revivals and looks at the two Great Awakenings in the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as the Pentecostal revivals that have rocked the Global South in more recent decades. You’ll discover how the best preachers blended charisma, connection with people, and the willingness to leave the formal sanctuary to meet listeners where they are.

Political Activity: In the 16th century, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand secured power through a unified Catholic state. Four hundred years later, the United States and Western Europe fought Communism by enlisting Christianity in their political cause. As you’ll discover again and again in this course, religion can almost never be divorced from politics.

Christian Mission: Throughout this course, you’ll explore the varying types of missions, from Christians’ overseas ventures in search of new converts to civil rights activists’ efforts to change society and promote social justice. You’ll also explore the ideal of sola fide, “by faith alone,” and the way many Christians in recent years have retreated to a more private, individually focused religion.

Cultural Pluralism: When missionaries arrive in a new land, they usually find people who already have a religion. And if missionaries are successful, their converts tend not to be “purely” Christian but rather retain fragments of their original religion. The result is a pluralism of practices and ideas that has yielded not “one” Christianity around the world, but many.

Focus on the People of History

Finally, in studying these broad themes, you will meet some truly fascinating people. Professor Worthen is a marvelous storyteller who brings individuals to life as she shares broader points in the story. For example, in a lecture on the Cold War, she considers how Pope John Paul II’s moral courage helped bring about the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe. In another lecture, she shares the story of Rebecca, an American slave whose story offers a representative glimpse of religion among people whose stories have largely gone untold.

Whether it’s Mormons in the American West, Catholics in Latin America, or a Nigerian megachurch, this course examines the actors and ideas that have made Christianity a global religion—and offers a clearer perspective on our own time and place. Professor Worthen introduces you to scientists and theologians, revolutionaries and social justice crusaders, intellectuals and ordinary people living out the great drama of Christian history. From Martin Luther’s 95 Theses to Latin American liberation theology, The History of Christianity II is a magisterial course, and a must-have for students of history and religion, as well as philosophy, literature, culture, and life.

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36 lectures

| Average 29 minutes each

1

Prophets of Reform before Protestantism

Start your journey in Renaissance Italy where—right in the pope’s backyard—two men gave very different yet powerful critiques of the church, years before the Reformation. By examining these representative figures, Professor Worthen unpacks several key themes running through Christianity for the past 500 years. x

2

Luther and the Dawn of Protestantism

Delve into the early Reformation, which begins with Martin Luther and his 95 Theses. An original thinker and an outlaw to Catholic authorities of the time, Luther was also surprisingly conservative in many ways. Review his critique of the church and his theology in the context of the 16th century. x

3

Zwingli, Calvin, and the Reformed Tradition

Continue your study of the Reformation with a look at several thinkers who were more radical than Martin Luther. Here, you'll explore the ideas of Huldrych Zwingli, John Calvin, and others who advanced their own theological and political critiques of the church. You'll also consider Henry VIII's quarrel with Rome and the founding of the Church of England. x

4

The Anabaptist Radicals

In this third lecture on the Protestant Reformation, you’ll meet the most radical of rebels, the Anabaptists. Based on the slogan sola scriptura—the Bible alone—the Anabaptists wanted to cut ties completely between church and state, making them politically as well as theologically dangerous. x

5

The Catholic Reformation

Protestants weren't the only ones fighting to reform Christianity. While Luther, Calvin, and others were breaking from Rome and founding independent churches, leaders within the Catholic Church pushed to consolidate the power of their ideas and institutions. Survey the founding of the Jesuits and the role of education in the Catholic Reformation. x

6

The Church Militant in the Spanish Empire

One key theme from this course is the way religious motives are often inseparable from political and economic ambitions. Perhaps nowhere is this more apparent than Spain in the 16th century. See how Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand joined forces to create a unified Catholic nation, and how they worked to spread Catholicism into the Americas. x

7

War and Witchcraft in the Holy Roman Empire

The Thirty Years' War is one of the most confusing episodes in world history. Was it truly a religious war, in which Protestants battled for religious tolerance and freedom, or was it a political ploy to depose kings and change the balance of political power? As you delve into this messy conflict, you'll discover that the war unfolded in the midst of witch-hunting hysteria across Europe. x

8

Puritans, Kings, and Theology in Practice

The Reformation opened the door for radicals to challenge traditional authority. Follow the Puritans from England, where they pushed King James to authorize a new translation of the Bible, to the New World, where they tried to build a Christian Zion and wrestled with theology on their own terms. x

9

Religious Dissent and the English Civil War

Survey the fascinating history of the English Civil war, from the rise of Charles I, his battles with Parliament and eventual beheading, to the rule of Oliver Cromwell and the Restoration of Charles II. This political tumult allowed a profusion of radical sects to flourish, from the proto-communist Diggers to the apocalyptic Fifth Monarchy Men. x

10

Eastern Orthodoxy: From Byzantium to Russia

Shift your attention from the Protestant Reformation to another schism. Centuries before Martin Luther, Orthodox Christians in the East broke with Rome and developed their own theology. Reflect on the principles of Orthodox Christianity and see what role it played in the rise of the Russian Empire. x

11

Christians under Muslim Rule

Like the church in the West, Eastern Christianity has given rise to a range of diverse cultures and clashing theological opinions. Here, you'll discover the history of Christians in the Middle East, particularly Coptic Christians in Egypt and Syriac Christians in the Middle East. Find out what life was like under Muslim rule, and reflect on the legacy of the Ottoman Empire. x

12

The Church and the Scientific Revolution

Are religion and science always at odds? Reflect on this lightning-rod issue as you trace the history of the Scientific Revolution from the medieval worldview through the remarkable discoveries of the 16th and 17th centuries. Find out what really troubled the church about Galileo's proposition that the Earth was not at the center of the universe. x

13

The Enlightenment Quest for Reasonable Faith

On the heels of the Scientific Revolution, the “Enlightenment,” as Professor Worthen explains, was not one single movement but rather a constellation of ideas and philosophers who debated the relationship between faith and reason. Explore the theories and worldviews of Diderot, Voltaire, Locke, and other Enlightenment thinkers. x

14

Pietist Revival in Europe

In the ongoing clash between faith and reason, some Protestants embraced carefully reasoned arguments, but in the 17th century, another group of thinkers chose to emphasize heart over head. Survey the rise of Pietist communities and see how they responded to the historical context of the 17th and 18th centuries. x

15

The First Great Awakening

Meet George Whitefield, an Anglican evangelist who experienced a “new birth” and led a series of religious revivals up and down the East Coast. Here, you will consider the context of religious revivals, examine controversies over evangelism, and reflect on the impact revivals had on American political culture. x

16

Religion and Revolution in the 18th Century

Is America a “Christian” country? Did the Founding Fathers use the Bible as a blueprint for government? What about France—how did revolutionaries there both oppress and adopt religion to advance their cause? In both cases, history is so much more complicated than culture-war slogans. x

17

The Second Great Awakening

During the 19th century, a second wave of revivals swept North America and Britain, and this “Second Great Awakening” had tremendous consequences for Christianity in the West. After reviewing the origins of Methodism, Professor Worthen surveys the new approach to revivals and shows how America became a majority-Christian country. x

18

The Mormons: A True American Faith

Despite TV shows like Big Love, the Broadway hit The Book of Mormon, and the political career of Mitt Romney, Mormonism remains somewhat mysterious to those outside the religion. Uncover the origins and practices of this American faith, and find out how it has grown so large so quickly. x

19

Slave Religion in the Americas

Although historical records are relatively scarce, the clever detective work of some enterprising scholars has revealed the rich religious world of enslaved Africans, and highlights Christianity’s role in both oppression and liberation. Trace the evolution of religion among slaves in the 18th and 19th centuries, and consider how they made “white man’s religion” their own. x

20

Christian Missions and Moral Reform

How do you make people and a society Christian? What does it mean to “convert” foreign lands for Christ? In this lecture, Professor Worthen tackles these difficult questions. After reviewing early missions in Africa, she examines the role of women (particularly abolitionists) in the process of Christian reform. x

21

The Church's Encounter with Modern Learning

Dig into the rise of the modern university and its influence on the history of Christianity. By examining modern biblical scholarship in Germany and Britain as well as advancements in 19th century science and the theory of evolution, you will gain a greater understanding of the battle between faith and reason. x

22

The Social Gospel

In the 19th century, Christians debated whether to focus on saving souls, or to try to save society first. Here, learn about Protestant activists in Britain and North America who preached the “Social Gospel,” a mission to help the poor, push for social services, and effect political reform—and learn why some failed while others succeeded. x

23

Fundamentalism and Pentecostalism

Reflect on the rise of Pentecostalism, which exploded into an international revival, and Fundamentalism, a movement that became far more influential in America than anywhere else. Fundamentalists and Pentecostals clashed over doctrine and worship, but Professor Worthen shows how both groups responded to the same anxieties of modernity. x

24

Apocalyptic Faith in the 1800s and Beyond

Christianity started as an apocalyptic religion, and prophecies of “end times” have endured. Take a look at different strands of apocalyptic thinking and their relationship to the Bible and to society. Then unpack how apocalyptic preaching became so popular and examine how several churches and evangelists preached about the last days. x

25

The Church and the Russian Revolution

The Russian Revolution of 1917 is arguably the single most cataclysmic event in the history of religion in the 20th century. After surveying the landscape of religion in Russia in the early 20th century, including the various Christian minorities, take a look at the Bolshevik coup and Lenin and Stalin's subsequent efforts to stamp out religion. x

26

The Rival Gods of the Cold War

Continue your exploration of Soviet religious persecution and consider life behind the Iron Curtain. In this lecture, you will see how Khrushchev and Brezhnev continued Stalin-era pro-atheist policies. Then turn to the persistence of the Catholic Church in Eastern Europe—particularly Poland, home of Pope John Paul II. x

27

Rebellion and Reform in Latin America

Trace the history of religion in Latin America from the 18th century through today. After reviewing the history of colonialism and revolution, you will reflect on the relationship between the church and liberation theology in Mexico, Argentina, and elsewhere. See how Jorge Bergoglio—a.k.a. Pope Francis—struggled to balance pragmatism and idealism in politics. x

28

Vatican II and Global Renewal

In 1962, thousands of bishops gathered in Rome to convene the Second Vatican Council. Here, they debated how the church should respond to the challenges of modernity. Explore the high drama of these debates and see how Catholic reforms in worship, church authority, and doctrines of sexuality made real-life impact everywhere from America to the Philippines. x

29

Secularism and the Death of God

For Western Christians, the 20th century seemed to bring growing secularization. Professor Worthen unpacks this term and places it in the historical context of the 1950s and 1960s. See how religion has increasingly become a private business, one worldview among many, and theologians proclaimed the death of God—despite Billy Graham’s booming revivals. x

30

The Gospel and Global Civil Rights

One theme we've seen again and again is the morally complex role of churches in social change. Here, you'll reflect on the stories of the American civil rights movement and the South African battle over apartheid to explore the ambivalent role of Christian institutions and ideas in the 20th century's global struggle for human rights. x

31

Culture Wars and the Christian Right

Along with secularization and changes in Christian faith and practice, the second half of the 20th century also witnessed the eruption of today’s “culture wars”—the clash between traditional religious morality and secular pluralism. Explore this tension in American society and politics, and then see how the culture war is a global phenomenon, playing out in religious debates around the world. x

32

Liberation Theologies in Latin America

Revisit Latin America to examine the role of Protestant missionaries and their rivalry with the established Catholic Church. After surveying politics and culture in Latin America over the past century, you'll see how Catholic leaders responded to evolving societies. The lecture concludes with a look at liberation theology and the impact of the Christian Right. x

33

Prophetic Religion in Modern Africa

Christianity today is a truly global religion. Even as church attendance declines in America and Western Europe, Christianity is growing rapidly around the world. Here, Professor Worthen reviews the explosion of controversial revival movements in Africa, as well as the promise—and peril—they offer to struggling believers trying to survive times of political upheaval. x

34

Chinese Christianity: Missionaries to Mao

Continue your study of contemporary global Christianity. In China, the rise of Christianity has met with an uneasy mix of enthusiasm and suspicion. After reviewing early Christian contact with China, Professor Worthen traces 19th and 20th century missions, delves into the brutal Cultural Revolution, and reflects on religious tensions under the Communist regime. x

35

Revival and Repression in Korea

After the United States and Brazil, South Korea sends more missionaries into the world than any other country. Find out how Christianity became such a thriving faith in this relatively small nation—while fellow believers to the north suffer savage repression, and Pyongyang enforces a state religion devoted to the worship of former dictator Kim Il-sung. x

36

The Challenge of 21st-Century Christianity

In this final lecture, consider three challenges for Christians in the 21st century: their encounters with the world of Islam, their attitude toward global capitalism, and their reaction to the forces of secularization. Discover how understanding the past 500 years of history can help us better understand these challenges today—and how to prepare for the future. x

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About Your Professor

Molly Worthen, Ph.D.

The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Molly Worthen is an Assistant Professor of History at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She received her B.A. in History as well as her M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Yale. Dr. Worthen taught briefly at the University of Toronto before going to Chapel Hill in 2012.
Dr. Worthen’s first book, The Man on Whom Nothing Was Lost: The Grand Strategy of Charles Hill, is a backstage account of...

Reviews

The History of Christianity II: From the Reformation to the Modern Megachurch is rated
4.8 out of
5 by
34.

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Cousindrew from
Excellent courseProf. Worthen does an admirable job in this course of organizing and explaining trends and developments in the Christian Church over the past 500 years. In contrast to Prof. Johnson's formality in part one, Prof. Worthen is more informal, smiles frequently, and shows a sense of humor. Her lectures are clear, well-structured, and focused to the subject of the lecture's title. In contrast to at least one reviewer, I felt Prof. Worthen brought real passion and enthusiasm to the material, and I found myself eagerly anticipating each lecture. I watched the video version of this course, but I think audio would be satisfactory. Highly recommended!

Date published: 2019-05-04

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Mwlaw from
An excellent even handed overview of Church History

Date published: 2019-04-06

Rated 5 out of
5 by
JVG7 from
In that it was a sequel, the title was appropriateWell researched, comprehensive and well presented.

Date published: 2019-02-17

Rated 3 out of
5 by
roody from
Objective, Interesting, but OmissionsReview: The History of Christianity II: From the Reformation to the Megachurch, by Molly Worthen (The Teaching Company, c2017), 36 lectures on CD
On the whole, Professor Worthen has produced a decent history of the subject, which is noteworthy both for the wide range of subjects included, as well as for the great objectivity that she has brought to an inherently contentious, even emotional, subject—religion. One cannot tell from her work which religious tradition she comes from, which is another sign of her objectivity. On the whole, her judgments are moderate, and she avoids controversy. Moreover, this is a world history, which devotes much attention to the development of Christianity on other continents besides Europe and North America. My criticisms concern mainly her omissions, which have compromised some of her work.
1)Professor Worthen’s own scholarship concerns American evangelicals, and it is here that her work is strongest. However, her analysis of religion in Europe, the heartland of Christianity, has gaping holes.
In particular, there are large gaps in her consideration of the Catholic Church in Europe during the period under consideration. Her course begins with the stories of Savanarola and Pico from 15th century Florence, but she largely omits the tremendous influence of the medieval Church on society, the economy, and politics, all of which provide the all-important context for the Reformation.
Worthen’s otherwise commendable chapter on the Catholic Reformation omits the religious wars instigated by Catholic authorities (with the blessing of the Church) at that time, which in certain respects were continuations of medieval crusades against heretics. Responsibility for these wars of religion has sometimes given this Catholic movement the title of Counter-Reformation.
The chapters on the Catholic Reformation and the Thirty Years War are followed by very little information of the Catholic Church in Europe until Vatican II (1962-1965). This is a gap of in reporting of about 300 years, during which time the Church remained a central feature of religion and politics in this Christian heartland, even as Europe was radically transformed by the Industrial Revolution and concomitant social and political revolutions.
Worthen does analyze Galileo’s conflict with the Catholic Church, but here she blames the “arrogant” Galileo as much or more than the backward-looking Church. In this section, she acts as an apologist for the Church.
Finally, in her lectures concerning the Catholic countries of Latin America, Vietnam, and the Philippines, among others, Worthen omits how deeply the Church was embedded with the power structure in these countries and how this situation affected the course of history.
2)Worthen’s analysis of the Christian Right in contemporary American politics is strongest when dealing with American evangelicals, but here she over-generalizes from white evangelicals, while ignoring black evangelicals, who have a different worldview. More seriously, she gives scant attention to the momentous alliance of Protestant evangelicals, Catholic conservatives, and the Mormon Church in crusading against abortion, homosexuality, and liberalism in general. This is an electoral juggernaut that has figured prominently in American politics during the last few decades, while also contributing mightily to the political polarization in America that has been so lamented upon publicly.
In addition, Worthen has failed to highlight the fact that both Catholicism and Protestantism have been divided increasingly between liberals and conservatives. In the same fashion, just as conservative Catholics and Protestants have joined forces, so also have liberal Catholics and Protestants joined forces on the other side of the political spectrum.
Worthen is thorough in analyzing the split between Protestant fundamentalist churches, which uphold traditional doctrines, and mainline Protestant churches, which have a more liberal outlook.
Worthen omits pertinent information about the Catholic Church, because we know from other sources that in the Catholic Church this conservative-liberal split exists among the laity and extends also into the College of Cardinals, which sometimes elects popes of a conservative bent and at other times elects popes with a more liberal inclination: the conservative Pope Pius IX was followed by the more liberal Leo XIII; the conservative Pope Pius XII was followed by the more liberal John XXIII; and the conservative Pope Benedict XVI was followed by the more liberal Francis I.
Finally, Worthen is completely clueless about the cleverness of American churches in exploiting the tax code to create gigantic, tax-free business- and real estate empires—a development that bodes ill for the future of America.
3) Worthen misses the passion that is often aroused by religious feelings. As a consequence, she makes the unfounded prediction that the modernist tendency of Pope Francis I and his social gospel will be the dominant strain of the future Catholic Church. We see that Pope Francis is challenged even now by powerful conservative elements within the Church. Conservative Catholics have a crusading faith that arouses more passion than do the more moderate views of liberal Catholics.
The same dichotomy is true in the Protestant churches, where the growing fundamentalist churches espouse conviction and passion far more than the mainline Protestant denominations, which are declining in membership.
Worthen seems in general to miss one of the fundamental facts about Christianity: the repeated role of the Spirit in giving power to the Church and attracting passionate followers. It happened for the first time in the Roman Empire, when the personal religion advocated by Christianity spoke more to the needs of the anxious peoples of the late Roman Empire than did the dry and distant Greco-Roman pantheon. It happened again at the time of the Protestant Reformation, when the renewed emphasis on a spirit-based religion won millions of converts. In fact, and as Worthen herself demonstrates, the Catholic Reformation enabled the Church to re-connect successfully with the spiritual needs of its believers.
As a final proof of Worthen’s failure to understand the power of the Spirit, she underestimates the power of the Pentecostal movement, which is spreading rapidly throughout the world, and which we know from other sources now includes about 10 percent of humanity, or about 700 million people. She identifies Pentecostalism too closely with the “prosperity gospel,” which is a different and less spirit-filled message.
Final grade for this course: 2.5 on a 5.0 scale. C plus / B minus.

Date published: 2019-01-30

Rated 5 out of
5 by
KeithC from
Very EnjoyableI found this course very interesting and enjoyable and Professor Worthen is an engaging and effective teacher. I would take more classes from her.

Date published: 2019-01-05

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Johzee from
WonderfulI buy these every year for my husband for Christmas they are a blessing to listen to on his commute to work. The content and teachers are great 99% of the time.

Date published: 2019-01-02

Rated 5 out of
5 by
bibliophile from
Great combination of history and religionA great survey of the history of Christianity since the Reformation, focussing on the many connections between this history and that of the secular world. Features many very interesting and lesser known aspects of religious history, such as Christianity in Africa, China, and Korea.

Date published: 2018-11-17

Rated 5 out of
5 by
nsteussy from
Intellectual and historic context of the ChurchMarried (40 years) to an old testament scholar many of our conversations weave through the history of theology, psychology, and the Church. Dr. Worthen gives this history intellectual and historic context is this delightful and engaging series of lectures. Lecture 21, the Church's encounter with Modern Learning was especially interesting. I'm uncertain if either the Church or Modern Learning have recovered.